ENCOURAGING LEADERS
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Another of Paul’s apprentice ministers was a young Greek man by the name of Titus. Some commentators have suggested that Titus might have been the brother of Luke, but he is not mentioned in the book of Acts, so all we know of him is from putting together various references throughout Paul’s letters. It was apparent that Paul had found a kindred spirit in Titus, who walked “in the same footsteps by the same Spirit” (2 Corinthians 12:18) as Paul. Titus had traveled with Paul to Jerusalem, spent some time with Paul in Rome, and had been sent on other journeys by Paul. At the time of Paul’s letter to him, Titus was working to establish the churches in Crete. While there is evidence of a later assignment (see 2 Timothy 4:10), one historical tradition is that Titus became an established leader of the church in Crete. Whatever the case, it is clear that Paul did not want the future of the church in that place to depend on a single person. Part of Titus’ commission was to “appoint elders in every town, as I directed you” (Titus 1:5). These would be people of good character who would be equipped to “encourage others by sound doctrine.” This was a similar qualification and injunction for leaders appointed in the early days of the Israelite nation: “The same principles of piety and justice that were to guide the rulers among God’s people in the time of Moses and of David, were also to be followed by those given the oversight of the newly organized church of God.”* People of courage are those who will be unafraid to be faithful and do their assigned duty and who are most fit to encourage others.
* Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press®, 1911), 95.
